AT&T gives grant to offer business workshops in 2 St. Pete high schools

Young entrepreneurs in Pinellas County have a unique opportunity to bring their business and technology ideas to life.

With a $25,000 grant from AT&T, budding entrepreneurs at Gibbs and Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg will be able to take part in a series of workshops aimed at developing their entrepreneurial ideas. The financial contribution from the communication giant was made to the Pinellas Education Foundation's Next Generation Entrepreneurs and Next Generation Tech programs.

“The workshops will be crafted to help provide high school students with tools and skills they would need to take their innovative ideas and turn them into products and services that can be marketed in the real world,” says Karen McAllister of AT&T.

The grant is expected to reach as many as 200 students at the two high schools. The workshops teach high school juniors and seniors real world business skills for success including, everything from product and service development to software design.

McAllister says teaching the next generation these vital skills is a priority for her company.

“Since 2008, AT&T has committed $350 million toward helping at-risk students graduate from high school prepared for college or their career, and the Pinellas Education Foundation shares this passion with us,” she says. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, whether as entrepreneurs or employees.”

During the workshops, students will immerse themselves in enriching activities such as creating business models and developing business plans. Students will also have the opportunity to be mentored by business professionals during the process. At the conclusion of the workshop, business models and plans will be submitted to a panel of judges as students compete for money to develop their products and services.

McAllister explains that the Pinellas Education Foundation chose Gibbs and Lakewood high schools because they have innovative career academies that will provide fertile ground for these workshops.

“As part of the communities where our employees live and work, we want to ensure these students have every chance at success.”